Succeeds in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil[16, 52, 200]. Succeeds in acid and alkaline soils[166, 200]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 to 7[206]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 6.8. Prefers a heavy soil[16] and grows badly in sandy ones[200]. Prefers full sun[200, 206] and a sheltered position[206]. Likes some shade[16]. Drought resistant according to one report[160], whilst another says that the plants are shallow-rooted and have very little resistance to drought[206]. They require about 5 gallons of water from sowing to maturity[206]. Plants are not fully winter hardy in Britain, though mature plants withstand light frosts to about -3°c[160, 206]. Plants prefer coolish weather during their growing season, a temperature range of 13 - 20°c is ideal[206]. The Chinese cabbage is widely cultivated, especially in China and Japan, for its edible leaves[88]. It looks like a large cos lettuce or cabbage and has a crisp, watery texture with a mustard-like taste[264]. There are many named varieties[88, 206]. Those forms with loose heads were developed for areas with hotter summers, whilst compact-headed forms were developed for cooler areas[206]. The loose-headed forms are less prone to bolt, are more resistant to cold and are more disease-resistant[206]. An annual to biennial species, it is normally grown as an annual[206]. Plants take from 55 - 100 days from sowing to maturity, depending on variety, the loose-headed forms are usually 2 - 3 weeks faster than compact-headed forms[206]. Plants do not like root disturbance so should not be transplanted unless grown in individual pots[206]. Plants are highly resistant to fungus attacks and the cabbage moth[160], they are also slow to bolt in hot weather[160]. Some cultivars are more resistant to bolting when sown in spring than other forms[206]. There is some evidence that interplanting this species with dill and garlic can lessen the attacks of caterpillars[206]. A good bee plant[108].